Visit Heidelberg
(Best things to do while you are
traveling to the city of Heidelberg)
Travel • Heidelberg

Best things to do
when you visit Heidelberg

✍️ Heidelberg is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Germany.
It is administratively owned by the Land of Baden-Württemberg and is located geographically at the northwestern end of this state.

In the past it was a center of German romance, and today it is one of the main tourist destinations, mainly thanks to the picturesque ruins of the palace, the old town (Altstadt), the river and other attractions.
Particularly well known is its university, which was founded in 1386 AD and is the oldest in Germany.

The beauty of the city is world famous and is appreciated by (11,8) millions of visitors every year.

Heidelberg is picturesquely situated in the middle of the Rhine-Neckar region.
Nestled in a sloping valley, surrounded by forests and steep cliffs, this historic city on the river Neckar in southwestern Germany was ranked the ninth most inspiring city to visit globally.

Villas with green areas and buildings with architectural influences of Art Nouveau and Neo-Renaissance characterize the modern image of this German city.

But Heidelberg is not just a beautiful city.

After Munich, the city has the highest quality of life anywhere in Germany, a fact that has been corroborated by a study conducted by German broadcaster ZDF and economic research institute programs, indicating that 98% of people in Heidelberg feel “comfortable” or “very comfortable” there.

“There is something ideal about Heidelberg” wrote Goethe in in 1779.
Almost 250 years later this is still true.

Heidelberg's beautiful pre-war architecture (unlike many other German cities who had suffer from bombings during the Second World War) can still be seen (pretty much of it) by the modern-day visitor.

Wikipedia:
Heidelberg (German pronunciation: [ˈhaɪ̯dl̩bɛɐ̯k]) is a university town in Baden-Württemberg situated on the river Neckar in south-west Germany.
In the 2016 census, its population was 159,914, with roughly a quarter of its population being students.
Heidelberg is located about 78 km (48 mi) south of Frankfurt and is the fifth-largest city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg.
The city of Heidelberg is also a hub for the arts, especially literature, throughout the centuries and was designated a "City of Literature" by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Heidelberg is a popular tourist destination due to its romantic cityscape, including Heidelberg Castle, the Philosophers' Walk, its (Germany's oldest and one of Europe's most reputable) University and the baroque style Old Town.

Heidelberg
| in your hands |
• useful phone numbers •

• City Hall of Heidelberg
|Stadtverwaltung Heidelberg|:
(Rathaus, Marktplatz 10 69117 Heidelberg:)
+49 6221 58-10580

• Authority hotline 115:
Please call 115 for questions and requests to the city administration concerning the following topics:

• Foreign affairs
• Waste consulting
• Passports and registration
• Police matters
• Motor vehicle registration
• and more...

• Emergency medical service
(Medizinischen Klinik des Universitätsklinikums Im Neuenheimer Feld 410):
Phone: 116117
Ambulance: 10177

• Private emergency medical service:
(or privately insured persons or direct payers)
Phone: +49 1805 304505

• Police Heidelberg:
(56 Van Riebeeck Str. Heidelberg)
Phone: +49 028 722 1910

• Emergency phone numbers and on-call services:
Please call 112 the Standardized emergency number in Europe for:
fire brigade, police and medical rescue services.

• Fax number for emergency:
+49 (0)721 - 93

Don't use email

 for emergencies!

• Crisis response hotline:
(Call in case of major accidents and/or disaster situations)
+49 (0)721/133-3333

Heidelberg Germany - View of the castle from the bridge

Heidelberg • Castle view from the bridge

Lily's tips:

Heidelberg's Attractions
to visit while you are in the city.

• Old Bridge Heidelberg:

The Karl Theodor Bridge (commonly known as the Old Bridge or Alte Brücke) is an arch bridge in Heidelberg that crosses the Neckar river.

It connects the Old City with the eastern part of the Neuenheim district of the city on the opposite bank.

The current bridge (made of Neckar sandstone and the ninth built on the site) was constructed in 1786 by Elector Charles Theodore, and is one of the best-known landmarks and tourist destinations in Heidelberg.

The twin towers on the city side of the river were once part of the city wall, and contain dungeons used for housing criminals. In the center of these, hanging above the portcullis, is a plaque giving acknowledgment to Austrian troops who helped defend the bridge against a French attack in 1799.

One of the most notable items on the bridge is the statue of a monkey holding a mirror.
The legend surrounding this curious statue tells us that it symbolizes the fact that neither the city-dwellers nor the people who lived outside the city were better than the other and that they should look over their shoulder as they cross the bridge to remember this.

Heidelberg | Heidelberg's Castle and Palace

Heidelberg's Castle | Palace

• Heidelberg's Castle | Palace:

Heidelberg's Castle is also well know as Heidelberg's Schloss.
It's a very nice old castle, the walk up is definatelly worths the visit.
A perfectly-preserved monastery complex (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with the Heidelberg's world-famous ruins.

The Ludwigsburg also offers a grand Baroque palace with a special museum just for children.
Viewing the interiors of the Palace is only possible in a guided tour.
Great views from above the town
Heidelberg Castle official page: schloss-heidelberg
(Entrance ticket: 8 euros/person - Reduced 4,00€
Last admission at 5.10 pm)

• The old town of Heidelberg:

Heidelberg's old town or Altstadt (Altstadt is the German language word for "old town" and generally refers to the historical town or city centre within the old town or city wall, in contrast to younger suburbs outside) sits just below the Schloss and is a lovely place to walk around, day or night.
It extends along the river for a mile, with Karlstor on one end and Bismarckplatz on the other. In between, is a wonderful combination of old and new buildings, narrow streets and lots of cobbled streets - so high heels are out, market squares, arts, history, science, shopping, eating and relaxing.

Don't be afraid to enjoy your coffee (we paid 3.30€), a good local beer (we drunk for 3.60€ the 500 ml) or your glass of local wine (around 3€ per glass) on the main square although small gems are hiding around the narrow alleys.
There aren't that expensive as you might think it will be (or have a look at their menu first - just in case anything is changed).

From the rooftop of the old cathedral church of the Holy Spirit (also called Heiliggeistkirch) in the center of the Marktplatz (where Heidelberg's City Hall or 'Rathaus' is located) you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city - including Heidelberg Castle (Schloss Heidelberg), the Jesuit Church (Jesuitenkirche), the Neckar River, and the Karl Theodor Bridge.
The entry to the church is free, though it costs around 2€ per person to go up the steep tower stairs to the rooftop.

Nice atmosphere all round, and a typical historic and affluent part of the old Germany.

• Philosophers Walk or Way in Heidelberg:

The Philosophers Walk or Way in Heidelberg (Philosophenweg) is an old - famous walking route that starts from Neuenheim and can end up in Ziegelhausen or in Michaelskloster Heiligenberg.
In the first 800m one can enjoy the view of the old town "Altstadt" and then either descend from the steps towards the old town or continue the walk in the woods.
I recommend starting Philosophers Walk from the bridge by the Bismarckplatz, a tip that will make it easier for everyone.
The choice is yours but it is worth a visit any time of the year.

• University of Heidelberg:

The Heidelberg University is a public higher education and research institute based in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg in the southwestern Germany.
It was founded in 1386 and is the oldest university in the country and the third oldest in the past Holy Roman Empire.
Today it consists of twelve individual schools and offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate degrees in about one hundred fields.
The University of Heidelberg is also a founding member of the Federation of European Research Universities.
Nowadays the University of Heidelberg is considered to be one of Europe's leading Universities and its graduates have been awarded a total of 30 Nobel Prizes.
About 20% of its students are people outside of Germany.
At the University today, in addition to facilities in the old town of Heidelberg, some of its departments also operate in the Neuenheimer Feld area on the outskirts of the city.

* Germany doesn't have Uber. Only regular taxis are available. But taxi rates in Germany could be quite expensive. If you don't mind, you can always take a taxi - for any distance in Heidelberg - except from its old town where you have to walk or for some distances you could use the local bus or tram. Some of them actually are very helpful through your cheapest transfer between two neighborhood cities. For example (light rail) Tram No5 easily connects the distance of the dots on the map from the center of Mannheim to Heidelberg (ending in Dossenheim Nord).

Best Bars & Restaurants
to drink & eat in Heidelberg

• Schnitzelbank:

The schnitzel is fantastic.
Is also a great place to eat some other nice German meals.
Big portions in very good prices.
You will not be disappointed going here.
They have an English menu and they accept credit cards.
Definitely a must visit while you are in Heidelberg for some good local food.

Address: Bauamtsgasse 7, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
Official site: schnitzelbank-heidelberg

• Vetter's Alt Heidelberger Brauhaus:

Delicious authentic German food and fresh local brewed beer (you can get 4 smaller samples of their on tap beer if you like).
Might get crowed during dinner time.
The brewery is very interesting to see and is displayed in the middle of the restaurant.
Vegetarian meals options are available AND delicious desserts.
Totally recommended while in Heidelberg!

Address: Steingasse 9, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
Official site: brauhaus-vetter

• Palmbräu Gasse Heidelberger:

Very nice place for lunch in the center of the old town in Heidelberg.
The staff is very good and the food portions are very big.
Order the schnitzel and a Keller local beer.

Address: Steingasse 9, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
Official site: palmbraeugasse

• Hotels and Rooms
with accommodation offers

Rooms & Hotels to book online in Heidelberg Germany

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♡ Thank you all for your trust and support!
💋 Kisses from the beautiful Heidelberg!

_{Love Always}
Lily (WasHere)

More photos
from our trip to
Heidelberg Germany: